New Mexico

Wild Life Refuges: Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, Pajarito Environmental Education Center, Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, San Andres National Wildlife Refuge, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the southern plains, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for some of the rarest creatures in New Mexico. Established in 1937 to provide habitat for thousands of migrating sandhill cranes and waterfowl, the Refuge is popular for its diverse flora and fauna.

Straddling the Pecos River, the Refuge consists of an assortment of water habitats surrounded by a harsh, dry environment. The waters support unique wildlife, such as the Pecos pupfish, Roswell spring snail, green throat darter, and Noel's amphipod, along the more than 80 species of dragonflies.

Native grasslands, sand dunes, brushy bottomlands, and red-rimmed plateaus provide a sharp contrast to the wetland habitats of the Refuge. Roadrunners, scaled quail, and horned lizards are commonly seen in these drier areas.

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
4065 Bitter Lake Road
Roswell, NM 88201
Phone: (505) 622-6755
www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/bitterlake/

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